The river environs in Barwon Heads hold significant environmental and recreational values. In some parts, the residential interface is unique within the municipality where the properties have direct frontage to the estuary. In these circumstances vehicle access is from abutting streets to the rear (northern most section of Flinders Parade, Carr Street, Riverside Terrace and Riverside Lane), with some properties having right of carriageway over abutting properties and/or laneways. In the northern section, along River Parade, the character is also unique, with a strong sense of connection to the river and significant vegetation coverage, both on public and private land. Elements of this vegetation coverage also reach south, south west towards the Village Park.

Biodiversity mapping prepared by the Department of Sustainability and Environment indicates that some vegetation in the upper north and north-west residential area of town has a Conservation Status of Endangered or Vulnerable. Both Council’s Biodiversity Strategy and the Barwon River Land Use and Open Space Corridor Plan advocate the retention of vegetation in this area, given its vulnerable/endangered status and its role in biodiversity enhancement for the wider area. The Open Space Plan notes that there are extensive stands of mangroves and salt marsh vegetation on the south-western shore, along with some older stands of Moonah in the vicinity of Sheepwash Road which provide important habitat values and require ongoing protection.

They key elements of this landscape are:

The visual dominance of the riparian and surrounding vegetation.

Dwellings which are nestled in and do not dominate the landscape.

Sufficient space between buildings to plant and retain vegetation.

Respect for the sharing of views from within the area and maintenance of non-intrusive building forms as viewed from outside the area.

One side boundary is clear of buildings for at least 2.0 metres except in the situation where a dwelling exists on a site and the dwelling extension or building maintains or increases the established side setbacks. This provision does not apply where an existing building is rebuilt;

The buildings and works are setback at least 5 metres from the property boundary adjacent to the river.

The vegetation is less than 3 metres in height and is not shown on an approved landscape plan or site plan specifying its retention. This exemption does not apply to Moonah (Melaleuca lanceolata)and Coast Beard-heath (Leucopogon parviflorus);

The vegetation has single trunk circumference of less than 0.5 metres measured 1 metre above the ground and is not shown on an approved landscape plan or site plan specifying its retention. This exemption does not apply to Moonah (Melaleuca lanceolata)and Coast Beard-heath (Leucopogon parviflorus).

A landscaping plan should be submitted with an application for buildings and works, or to remove, destroy or lop vegetation and should incorporate the use of local indigenous species.

4
26/08/2010

C159Proposed C300

.0 Decision guidelines

Before deciding upon an application, the responsible authority must consider:

Whether the proposed development accords with the preferred character of the area and achieves the design objectives and design responses of the relevant Precinct Brochure of the City of Greater Geelong Residential Character Study (September 2001);

The need to ensure the design and siting of buildings exceeding 7.5 metres in height will not dominate the riverfront and the streetscape, and will not impact on long distance views. Dwellings which are proposed to exceed over 7.5 metres must respond to the flat topography and naturally occurring low vegetation types that contribute to broad and expansive view sheds;

The need to ensure the design and siting of buildings exceeding 7.5 metres in height will allow for the reasonable sharing of views having regard to the extent of available views and the significance of the views from the properties affected;

The impact of the riverfront, streetscape and vegetation character, the rhythm of existing building spacing and the visual permeability of the existing built form when viewed from the riverfront and the street;

Whether sufficient use has been made of indigenous planting to break up the views of the built form, retain adequate sight lines for safety and to soften and improve the interface treatment to the waterway; and

Whether proposed building set backs from a property line that directly adjoins the waterway corridor allows for substantial landscaping between buildings and the waterway corridor to soften the urban character. Buildings and works should be set back to maintain the open landscape along the waterway.